Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-01-17
TWICE welded.

''Only twenty-four hours more, dear
est, and you will be my own. don't
know why | feel so unwilling to leave
you, or why my thoughts have been
turned so continually upon Ralph
Washburn to-day, accompanied by
what seems like a presentlment of COM
ing evil"
You do not feel annoyed because he
is invited to the wedding. do you, Os-
waldo" asked Constance Howard. with
loving solicitude He has been an in
innate friend for many years, and high
ly esteemed, while my rejection of his
offer of marriage does not appear to
have impaired our friendship in the
least"
'You did quite right, my dear Con-
stance" said Oswald NARROW. affection
ately. Before | knew how matters
stood between you and Ralph feared
ne might prove formidable rival; but
he assured me, in his frank way, that
he would be no impeachment to my WOO
ing you. and bid me friendly god
speed. l could see that TO one of his
deep ardent nature it could be no light
task TO relinquish YOU.
Il wish you would remain in town to-
night, Oswald, and not attempt that
long ride home," said Constance anx-
iously. Anything you want you can
send for in the morning. Besides, do
not like to think of you having that
long. cold ride at night"
Have no fears for me, my darling. l
have matters to attend to that cannot be
neglected; and my good horse, Rollin,
will carry me over the twenty miles in
two hours. Cool night, dear'love."
He held her in his arms with lnger-
ing, yearning pressure; then left the
room. Constance watched him from
the window as he mounted his horse
and rode swiftly of through the gather
ing dusk of the short winter day.
Six months before Constance Howard
had first met Oswald NARROW at a small
evening party. and from the hour of
their meeting she felt that she had en-
countered the first man to whom her
heart had gone out in that sentiment
which demands a lifelong union with
the beloved object.
There was one, however, nj that party
whose insight had detected her secret
almost Immediately. and that one was
her former suitor. Ralph Wash burn,
who had accepted Miss Towards reiec-
ton OF his suit with quiet and courteous
acquiescence, but had never relinquish-
ed his determination 10 make her his
wife. He was simply biding his time.
Five minutes after Oswald NARROW
disappeared from view on the afternoon
when our story opens, Ralph Washburn
glided from clump OF evergreens that
grew close to the house he had been
watching for the last hour.
''So!' he, exclaimed. rs he gained the
road by a. side-path, ''Marlow goes
back tonight. and will not remain over
as l feared he might 1t was an evil
day for him when he first stepped in
between me and the girl love. TO him
she has plighted her troth, but when
she stands up in her wedding-robes she
will be my bride, not his. A heart is
often most effectually caught in the re-
bound. But if my plot fails, and she
refuses to become my wife, will take
care that he shall never return to expose
my crime and regain his bride"
Half way on the road leading from
the town where Constance Howard
lived to that in which her lover resided
was the Owl Tavern, with black
smiths shop adjoining. The landlord
had an assistant james Redfurth. all
understood man, with sinister coun-
tenance, who although. attending faith
fully to his duties showed no DISPOSE
ton to cultivate the acquaintance of
anyone, but waited upon his customers
with persistent tactiturnity that had
won for him the sobriquet of Grumpy
Jim
An hour after Oswald NARROW passed
the Owl Tavern on his way home that
evening, Ralph Washburn drew up be-
fore the door.
where's the landlord?" he asked.
entering the bar, and addressing
Grumpy JIM" who was the only occu-
pant.
"Went off two hours ago, in answer
to telegram from =" said Jim,
naming town in an adjoining county.
HE is not likely to be home for
day or SO, thenp"
''Not until the day after tomorrow.
Sand what do you say to earning
hundred pounds while he is away?"
continued Ralph.
Il don't say anything until know
more about il" was the sullen re-
joinder.
'Listen then: About nine o'clock to-
morrow morning man viii stop here
to have shoe put on his horse. If
you will see that he takes drink with
this in it, producing tiny package,
81 will give you hundred pounds"
"What will be the effect of the dosep"
Simply to send him to the land of
slysium for about forty-eight hours"
"Forty-eight hours?" repeated Jim,
with a shake of his head ..Tha n,octor